Reps rap with councilors

Friday

Dec 23, 2011 at 2:00 AM

Two of Barnstable’s state reps went deep into the details with the town council last week, revealing the thrust and parry of policy negotiations that aren’t always evident when the governor signs a bill.

Patriot Staff

Two of Barnstable’s state reps went deep into the details with the town council last week, revealing the thrust and parry of policy negotiations that aren’t always evident when the governor signs a bill.

“One of the things Randy [Hunt] and I are working on [with casino gambling] is trying to make sure cities and towns see revenue, not just the operating budget and host communities,” Rep. David Vieira told the council Dec. 15. We were able to carve out some infrastructure monies for Chapter 90. We know there’s a backlog list in the Town of Barnstable of road projects.”

The House dedicated 10 percent of casino matching funds to Community Preservation funds, Vieira said, but the provision was taken out in conference committee. There’s still an effort to pass the Community Preservation Sustainability Act, and maintain state matching funds.

Hunt, who sits on the telecommunications and energy committee, said that group became convinced that there were problems with the wind energy siting reform act relative to local control. “At this point, it has died,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Legislature has asked the administration to put together the rules for the siting act, reversing the usual procedure by which these are written after passage.

Vieira said legislators are pushing for an open, public bidding process for utilities required by the state to buy renewable energy. “The existing bill says the cost effectiveness will be determined by the attorney general’s office,“ the rep said. “We said the cheapest of three bids is the cost-effective option. We’re trying to put that in the law.”

Hunt said he has problems with the argument that “we should pay a premium so an industry can become more mature at our expense.”

Councilor Debra Dagwan wanted to know about the implications for Massachusetts of the federal government’s failure to come to agreement on fiscal matters.

“We closed a $1.9 billion deficit last year,” Vieira said. “This year, we’re not even sure what the potential deficit will be…. My goal is to reinstate revenues to meet federal shortfalls.” Vieira also wants Boston to give cities and towns local aid projections earlier.

Vieira said he’d like to see national leaders behave a bit more like his Beacon Hill colleagues.

“This year, most of the Republicans and Democrats worked together,” he said. “We passed a budget almost unanimously.”

Hunt also pointed to an amendment that ensured that half of the state’s overage at the end of the fiscal year came back to municipalities. With Speaker Robert DeLeo, along with many of the newer reps, having served as a selectman, Hunt said, there’s an appreciation that local aid should be held harmless.

The council invited the reps – along with colleague Demetrius Atsalis, who did not attend – to return on a quarterly basis.